Water resources policy and administrative management

An ecological portion of the Chee-Moon-Mekhong River, Huay (creek) Yang Wai has ,for generation, been providing water , fishes , vegetation and some energy for target population. Traditionally, the creek and its ecosystem has been an integral part of local livelihood. Due to a few decades back of land encroachment for more cash crop plantation ,poorly planned irrigation for paddy fields and dredging project of the government, and limited capacity of community members have all contributed to the deteriorating of the ecosystem. Gradually losing its once intact vegetation, amount of fishes begin to dwindle and untimely water flow causing untoward drought and flood. The above-mentioned deterioration occurs at an unusually rapid rate thus requires urgent attention from all parties. In order to off-set the unscrupulous activities of some interested group and assist responsible government agencies, the club has initiated the activities to reverse the degradation of the creek. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: Apart from members of target villages, the following projects/organizations participate in the activities. 1.Community Right Watch Project which is carrying out the study the relationship of local knowledge and the management of environment and natural resources of the upper Chee Basin. 2.Phu Tham Phu Kratae Watershed Conservation Group which is carrying out Chee watershed management downstream. 3.Tha Nang Naew Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. which is carrying out environmentally-friendly agricultural practice. Activities to be carried out under project: -Launching participatory survey of ecosystem of the creek -Synthetizing data & information -Publicizing synthesized data & information through dissemination materials and mobile forum -Jointly ,with local schools, formulating local curriculum on nature study -Organizing seminar, study tours and workshop for formulating action plan -Demarcating conservation zone and fire-break -Re-vegetating native species -Scaling-up approach to other communities through March for Nature Anticipated results/Immediate Outputs of project: - Compilation of data , maps and indigenous knowledge of community - Initiation of process for collective management of community environment and natural resources - Emergence of women CBOs capable of managing community environment - Emergence of action plan for managing the creek and being adopted into the plan of the TAO - Reduction in encroachment and increase in vegetation along the creek - Demonstrated cooperation from various communities

Thailand